Cheadle's David Lloyd health club has put itself firmly on the map for young tennis players in the North West.

Since the introduction of a performance and mini academy three years ago, the LTA-accredited Performance Centre has become the most successful facility in both the county and in the North West, routinely sending players to national training camps which only take the top 32 players in all age groups in the country.

David Kiely, mastermind of the mini academy and LTA Cheshire Coach of the Year two years running in 2010 and 2011, thinks it is no wonder players are being drawn to the area.

“The academy has been very strong for eight years,” he said.

“We’ve always had the top national players of most age groups in the country based at David Lloyd Cheadle.

“We didn’t have anything really for the kids, so about three years ago I set up the Under 12 mini-academy. That happened to coincide with the introduction of mini tennis in the UK which is three different levels, which is Under 8s, Under 9s and Under 10s.

Standard

“The standard of coaching we have is very good. Our head pro Roger Cowell has attracted quite a few very high profile coaches.

“The standard of players we have at the club attracts other top players because they can all train together.

“We have a lot of younger players who are very good role models, because they’re playing at a national level but also don’t mind going on court and playing with the kids”.

Knowing the sport can be seen as expensive and elitist, David, who is from West Didsbury, was quick to stress that was not the case

“I started playing tennis at 10. I used to play in the park. A lot people who I’ve taken on play in the park.

“A lot of the LTA initiatives offer free coaching or heavily subsidised coaching for people who want to go because it can be quite expensive but like any sport it depends on the level you want to go to really.”

He also thinks there is no age limit in taking up the sport.

“My oldest client ever was 84, and he started playing when he was 40,” he said.

“So anybody can start and learn the skills, it’s just a question of a bit and practice and to have a lot of fun.”